Definition: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 13:34. It's a really powerful and poignant passage about forgiveness and judgment. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jesus is talking to the Jewish community in Jerusalem – a group of people who were very strict about following God’s laws. He’s pointing out that they are being cruel and violent towards prophets, which are people who speak truth and warn others about danger. What's Happening: Jesus is saying, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem..." – he’s addressing the listeners directly. He’s calling them “Jerusalem” – a name that means “city.” He’s asking if they would have loved to gather all the children of this city together and take good care of them, just like a hen takes her brood under her wings. The Contrast: The key part is: "and stonest them that are sent unto thee." This means they were sending people – prophets – to warn them about something bad or dangerous. But they were stoning (hitting with stones) these people! The Emotional Impact: Jesus is saying, “I would have gathered them together… and you would not?” This is a huge statement of disappointment and sadness. It’s like when you see someone being hurt or mistreated. It shows that he feels incredibly sad and frustrated because he wants to protect these people from harm. The Meaning – A Plea for Forgiveness: The whole verse is essentially a plea for forgiveness. Jesus is saying, "I want to show you mercy and kindness. I want to protect you from this violence. But you’re treating me like a cruel person by stoning me." Why it's important: This verse highlights the importance of compassion and understanding . It teaches us that even when people are wrong, we should extend kindness and forgiveness. It suggests that our actions have consequences – sometimes they can hurt others, and we should try to avoid causing them harm. In short: Jesus is expressing deep sadness over the injustice of the situation, urging everyone to be gentle and compassionate towards those who are being mistreated. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part in more detail or perhaps connect this verse to a larger biblical theme? For example, we could talk about: The context of the story (Jesus's teachings about justice) The idea of forgiveness and reconciliation